On 24th July 2018, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Library got functional in the premises of Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram. The RG Manudhane Foundation for Excellence —a Mumbai based charitable foundation contributed to the creation of the library through a generous donation. Shri Dhirubhai Mehta (President KHS) in the presence of Dr. BS Garg (Secretary, KHS), Dr. N Gangane (Dean, MGIMS), Dr. SP Kalantri (Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Hospital), faculty, staff and students cut the ribbon, lit the candles, sought blessings of Goddess Sarasvati, and got the library operational.
Mrs. Sheetal Gandhi Tandon, the leading heritage architect from Mumbai was entrusted with the task of building the library. “It took two years to design, construct, decorate and equip the library. The library’s exterior, based on golden ratio, brings positive energy to the cosmos – while its open, light-filled interior meets the needs of a modern library”, she stated.
The state-of-the-art library is housed in a building where once the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology functioned for almost four decades. Spread across 16000 square feet, the library features lounge chairs, sofas and cushioned tiered reading spaces for 225 undergraduate students, 100 postgraduate students and 75 faculty. In addition to 50,000 journals and books, the library also hosts an audiovisual room, a group discussion room, a 50-seater computer section, reprography area, areas for study, secure archival storage for books, theses and journals and a cafeteria. It also provides enough lockers for students to preserve their belongings. The entire area is Wi-Fi enabled and has an electronic RFID system that would identify, track, sort and detect library books and journals and would offer self-check-ins and checkouts.
“MGIMS has always been a hallmark for learning and development. This one of its kind library signifies the priority that the institute gives to its knowledge seekers. I hope the library provides our students with all the resources they need to further enhance their learning experience at this institute,” said Shri Mehta.
“A library is like a beautiful verdant island in the midst of a vast sea of ignorance. The right mix of books and digital resources, relaxed ambience of the library, its beauty and the aesthetically designed spaces would surely whet medical student’s appetite and inspire them to visit this repository of information, knowledge and wisdom, “said Dr. SP Kalantri. As a Charge` d’affaires of the project, he had worked relentlessly in the pursuit of excellence and if the student’s reactions are anything to go by, seems to have earned their approval.
“The new library along with its facilities will now benefit our students for years to come and will further embellish our already beautiful campus,” said Dr S Singh, Professor of Ophthalmology and In-Charge of Library.